Lowe’s to pay $12.5M to settle environmental rules violations at SoCal homes

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - Lowe's Home Centers has agreed to pay $12.5 million to resolve violations of federal environmental regulations found in renovation work performed by Lowe's contractors at homes in Southern California and elsewhere, it was announced today.

The settlement agreement filed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court requires Lowe's to implement a corporate-wide program to ensure the firms and installers it hires to perform work are qualified to use lead-safe work practices to avoid spreading lead dust and paint chips during home renovations.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials said the Mooresville, North Carolina-based Lowe's failed to successfully implement the compliance terms of a 2014 settlement with the EPA, resulting in the alleged violations of the EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule.

Despite the settlement, Lowe's denies any wrongdoing. According to the settlement, the company "denies the allegations that it did not comply with the RRP Rules of the 2014 consent decree and that it is subject to civil and stipulated penalties, and contends that it has substantially developed its RRP compliance program since the 2014 consent decree was entered, and intends to continue improving its RRP compliance program in a manner mutually beneficial to plaintiff, Lowe's and the public."

According to court papers, EPA discovered some of the alleged violations after investigating problems disclosed by Lowe's in periodic compliance reports required under the terms of the 2014 consent decree. The agency says it found additional violations after responding to a tip from a member of the public concerning door replacements and other renovation work performed by a firm hired by Lowe's to do work in southern and central California.

Residential lead-based paint use was banned in 1978 but remains in many older homes and apartments across the country.   

"Careless handling of lead paint endangers the health of children and other Americans,'' Adam Gustafson, principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in a statement.

"The stiff penalty Lowe's will pay reflects the importance of using certified firms and contractors in older home renovations. Contractors hired for work that may disturb paint in homes built prior to 1978, when lead-based paint was in widespread use, must be certified. These contractors have the training to recognize and prevent the hazards that can be created when lead paint is disturbed."  

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.